The interior defense of the Lakers, (Pau, Odom, Chris M, Ronny T etc) isn't that strong or physical. I think Malone, Barkley etc would be putting up much more impressive numbers against that defense than KG is able to do.
Yeh, he can do all the "extra effort" stuff like defense, rebounding etc. But when it comes to displaying basketball skill in crunch time like using a post move to score, or hitting FTs, he can't do it. I always wondered why his offensive game isn't better. Being with Kevin McHale for such a long time, he should have better footwork and post moves.
I was thinking while the game was going down that if LA wants to reach the dynasty potential people are expecting from them then Bynum is going to have to become a beast. Kobe is not going to get better (and will probably start slowing a bit in the next 2 seasons) and Gasol and Odom are going to continue to be crunch time failures. I think if Bynum can continue to develop and become a 20/12 guy then look out NBA but if he doesn't get much better then I could see LA not even getting back to the Finals again. My money is on Bynum getting damn good in the next two seasons. I hope the young guy can stay healthy enough to reach his potential.
Did anyone else find Van Gundy's constant berating of the Lakers hilarious? He spent awhile talking about how LA was lucky to be able to win, and that they have no idea how to close games. Mark Jackson agreed with him, and they both went off on the Lakers missing free throws, committing stupid fouls, and taking poor shots.
They were pretty much right. Its like that classic speech JVG said after a lackluster Rockets win after blowing a big lead; We got a big jump on the race, stumbled at the finish line and fell on our face which crossed the finish line thereby winning the race.
Am I the only one who knew KG was gonna miss those FT's...well at least one? On the other hand, Pierce is showing that he has a lot of heart. I really hope Boston can close it out in 6. You never know what can happen in a Game 7....
There is a reason you have to play the games. Anything can happen. PP's knee injury could flare up. Ray Allen could go back in the tank (he missed postgame interviews last night because of a family matter). This series is NOT over until someone closes out a 4th win. I expect Boston to win game 6. The Celts totally control the direction of this series because they are superior. If it goes to a game 7, my only prediction is that it will be tight the entire game.
Doc Rivers can actually run plays for Cassell, like him posting up Farmar.. Laker fan today at work told me "Cassell was killing us, I don't know why they took him out". Has it come down to the day Laker fan giving more props to Sam than "Rocket's" fan? sad day.
i didnt understand that either after Sam I Am scored 7 straight for the celtics they went completely away from him, though pierce was running the PnR pretty well with garnett following Sam's flurry. Almost every time on those plays Sam was WIDE open at the top of the 3pt line ready to hoist up a 3. The celtics act like Sam's never hit a top of the arc 3 pointer in the finals in the fourth quarter of a road game before. I mean wide open pierce drove in and made some poorer shot decisions afterwards. Luckily for one of them Garnett made a free throw line jumper. oh yeah and KG totally lost this game for the celtics twice in the fourth quarter going to the line to tie the game and he comes up 1-4? thats ball game right there, changes the whole complexion of the game. Even when that flop call by him was called and him heading to the line I told my roommate its not a big deal he'll choke both of these the lakers just better box out. and sure enough. its like once he got some foul trouble he stopped being aggressive offensively (he played well in the first quarter) which makes no sense to me, garnett rarely is ever called for offensive fouls. Its really up to pierce, allen and the role guys like posey, house, cassell to carry this team
Of course this will go to seven, if Kobe is allowed to strip the ball from pierce by hitting him in the elbow on the last play this means the league wants this to go to seven and they odon´t want to take any chance of this ending before.
I can't believe one of two remaining core members of our championship teams left in the NBA is catching so much flack from Rocket fans.
Not sure if it's a foul even after I watched quite a few times of the HD replay here: http://www.lakersmedia.com/?p=173, let alone seeing it's hit on the elbow. Watch the replay, PP didn't even realize it until the ball was 3 ft away. If he was hit on the elbow first, wouldn't there be a sooner reaction from him?
